Alan Rickman reportedly had a "slight stroke" and was later diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

The Harry Potter actor passed away yesterday surrounded by family and friends at a London hospital and now more details of his brave battle have emerged.

According to the Mail Online, US showbiz journalist Roger Friedman claimed that the BAFTA winner had a suspected stroke last August and was later told he had the disease.

Writing on Showbiz 411, he said the star told only a few close friends he had cancer during a visit to New York last month.

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Alan Rickman had pancreatic cancer (Image: Getty)

He wrote: "Sources tell me Rickman had pancreatic cancer, and he didn't have it very long. After all, he came to New York last June looking fit for the premiere of his movie "A Little Chaos." He stayed all night at the Monkey Bar after party.

"A month later he's seen in wire service photos looking the same from a British festival.

"But sometime around August, says a friend, he may have suffered a small stroke.

"That led doctors to the cancer diagnosis."

Friedman went on: "His decline was rapid after that. But Rickman and his wife Rima came to New York in December, and even saw the musical “Hamilton.” Apparently he let some people in on the secret at that point."

Alan Rickman in Sweeney Todd (Image: Warner Bros.)

The charity Pancreatic Cancer Action said in a statement: "We were very sad to hear that one of Britain's most popular actors, Alan Rickman, passed away after a short battle with pancreatic cancer.

"Our thoughts are with all his friends and family at this very sad time."

The much-loved Brit star first shot to stardom in 1988 when he played Hans Gruber, Bruce Willis's adversary, in Die Hard.

Alan Rickman and Helen Mirren (Image: PA)

Rickman won a Golden Globe and an Emmy for TV biopic Rasputin, and a BAFTA for Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.

He was BAFTA nominated for Michael Collins, Sense and Sensibility and Truly Madly Deeply.

A family statement read: "The actor and director Alan Rickman has died from cancer at the age of 69. He was surrounded by family and friends."